As two close friends are whisked away to an intergalactic soccer (futbol) tournament, a profusion of emotion swells within their chests, and for a moment, they ponder the immense scale of their newfound adventure.
Sokator442, based on a relatively recently launched browser-based sports action game, arrives in select territories this coming spring and summer as an animated film. The 2D production, announced last year, is an international co-production with interested parties as far apart as UK-based rights-holder Galleon Entertainment and China's PolyBona Films Distribution [recent A.I. news: "
UK/China Feature Animation News" (11/2009)].
Grounded in the story and characters at the heart of an online game of the same name (at
www.Sokator442.com), the animated movie
Sokator442 is about a pair of athletic kids who choose to take up a galaxy-wide offer to participate in the biggest soccer match this side of the universe.
Win and get all the glory; lose, and say goodbye to Earth.
Teaming up (and more than likely, facing off against) a horde of the fuzzy and scaly, best pals Chan and Dek have to figure out a way to stay competitive in the toughest soccer league ever assembled. Animation production for
Sokator442 will include work from London's Zoo Films and Suzhou, China's
Sandman Animation Studio.
In recent news, Galleon Entertainment has reached an agreement with a few new distribution partners for both the animated and online incarnations of soccer adventure property. North American boutique representative
Bejuba! Entertainment has agreed to a distribution deal for the entire franchise, including the 75-minute animated feature. Targeting Boys 6-11 or thereabouts,
Sokator442, the cartoon movie, is scheduled for full delivery this coming April/June 2010 in time for the current season's FIFA World Cup event. Bejuba! Entertainment's contract includes the online game, the animated movie, as well as the live-action game show (reported in various stages of development). The online game, highlighted my comic book styled panel shots and key sharpening users' sports management skills, launched in April 2009 and continues to pick up steam. Bejuba! Entertainment, formed in 2004, will hold television, online, and home video rights to the franchise.
"The
Sokator concept is a truly unique and exciting experience that translates into a winning event for television and, indeed, today's entertainment arena," Tatiana Kober, President, Bejuba! Entertainment, stated. "Each element complements the other to bring a truly 360-degree concept to children. We are thrilled to be working with Galleon to bring this entertaining content to international broadcasters who are seeking to deliver the same excitement as the online game and just in time to build on the excitement of the highly anticipated World Cup."
In related news, Galleon Entertainment has also sealed a deal with Game 5, an operator and distributor of browser-based games in China. In addition to this natural expansion of a franchise whose animated roots stretch to Suzhou, China, Galleon claims there are roughly 40 million registered users in the browser-focused gaming sector in China. Game 5 will hold the non-exclusive rights to fully operate and market the online game
Sokator442, and all seven of its unique alien species, fully localized for Chinese gamers. Galleon will take 40% of gross revenues that
Sokator442 generates through the Game 5 platform.
"Game 5 is one of the fastest growing game portals in China. Looking at the internet gaming market in China, and in particular the rapid growth seen in browser based games," Stephen Green, CEO of Galleon Holdings, commented on the agreement. He continued: "[W]e are very excited about the potential for this agreement and are delighted to be working with Game 5."
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